Open invitation issued for Parade of Boats

NEW BEDFORD — Almost anything that floats, that is at least 15 feet long and is fast enough is welcome in the Charles W. Morgan Homecoming Parade of Boats set for Sunday, June 29.

STEVE URBON

NEW BEDFORD — Almost anything that floats, that is at least 15 feet long and is fast enough is welcome in the Charles W. Morgan Homecoming Parade of Boats set for Sunday, June 29.

"I think it's going to be Dunkirk out here," said New Bedford Museum President James Russell, whose staff is leading the Morgan event planning.

The restored Charles W. Morgan, the last intact wooden whaleship to sail from New Bedford, will return to the city for the first time since 1941 between June 25 and 27, depending on weather. The ship, now part of the Mystic Seaport maritime museum, is making its 38th voyage traveling to ports from New London to Boston this summer.

Russell said the Sunday event will be preceded by a service at the Seamen's Bethel. "Then the ministers will go down to the dock where they will have some color commentary." The boats will be blessed and a cannon will start the race, Russell said.

As soon as the Vineyard ferry Sea Streak clears the harbor at 12:30 p.m., boats will begin the parade circuit in the harbor channel, from the hurricane barrier to just south of the Route 6 bridge.

For the next two-plus hours, the boats, led by a fireboat will pass single file in review by the Morgan, which is scheduled to be docked on the east side of State Pier.

Staging areas for commercial fishing boats, public safety vessels and other commercial vessels have yet to be determined.

The parade will proceed from roughly smallest to largest, in single file, circling around the New Bedford Fire Department's boat moored near the bridge, then south past the Morgan, and then south in the channel to the barrier.

Russell said that a scalloper and a dragger will be near the front of the parade, "to honor the fact that the Morgan was a commercial fishing boat."

Boats are required to be able to travel 6 to 7 knots for safety reasons — they must be able to overcome wind and currents and stay in line — and have the ability to maneuver in tight quarters. All boats must follow Coast Guard navigation safety rules and sailing will not be permitted during the parade.

Captains are being encouraged to "dress ship" with signal flags or other decorations.

Registration is not required for the event, but the organizers would like those who intend to participate to contact organizer Caitlin McCaffery at CMcCaffery@whalingmuseum.org, leaving a name, boat description, boat name and mobile telephone number.

McCaffery said emails started pouring in as soon as the flyer was sent around. "Most of the clubs and walk-ins have contacted us and they say 'Hey, we want to be part of this. Here's our boat and our telephone.'"

Russell said getting the information on participants will make for more informed commentary during the event. "It will be good just to get an idea what boats are coming, what sizes," he said.

Russell said that the turnout of boats will be strongly affected by any poor weather. He said that he is estimating perhaps even more than 150 vessels, based on an aerial photo of the Morgan launch flotilla on a clear day last July in the Mystic River.

During the event, communications will be conducted on VHF channel 71, with all boats asked to quiet stereos so support boats on the water can communicate.

The newly restored Morgan will arrive from Vineyard Haven for a 10-day stay.

She will be open to visitors from Saturday, June 28 to July 6. On July 7 she heads for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Bourne, then to Provincetown and Stellwagen Bank, Boston, Bourne once again for the Cape Cod Canal anniversary celebrations, then straight to New London July 28.

Once back in New London, she will have ballast removed so she will ride high enough to clear the Mystic River back to Mystic Seaport and permanent display.

More information on the parade, including a map, and the 38th Voyage of the Morgan is available online at www.CharlesWMorganNewBedford.org.